By Rowland Olonishuwa
A cross section of clerics in Ilorin have applauded the life and times of the late Missioner of Ansarul-Islam Society of Nigeria, 
Owing to the godly character of the deceased, clerics also took advantage of the occasion to remind the Ummah of the importance of constant remembrance of Allah and doing good deeds to humanity.
The clerics handed down this on Wednesday at the fidau prayer for late Alhaji Ikare held at Mogaji Aliagan compound, Agbaji quarters Ode Afa nda area, Ilorin.
The duo of Alhaji Abdulquadir Olohuntoyin, the Imam of Hasbunallau Mosque and Alhaji Abdullateef Bature, the Chief Imam of Alako mosque in Ikare lauded the godly character of the deceased, stressing that he toiled day and night for the propagation of Islam, Islamic scholarship as well as doing good to humanity at Ikare Akoko where he based.
Using the life and times of the deceased as an example, the clerics called on the Ummah to live their lives as if they will die the next moment. They stated that death knows no status as it is the leveler of all mankind and the Almighty Allah has destined for every living thing to taste death in one form or the other.
While reminding the gathering that death is just a journey, the clerics urged the Ummah to work for the hereafter where Allah’s judgment on all evil doers will be more heinous.
The prayers continued in the evening of the same day with the National Missioner of Ansarul-Islam, Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayara and Alhaji Ibrahim Ambali Apaana charging the Ummah on constant remembrance of Allah as amplified by the late scholar.
According to Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayara the good works of the deceased is enough to ask for God’s mercy on him. He pointed out that the deceased’s sojourn to Ikare Akoko was not to seek for greener pastures but rather to propagate Islam. He stressed that the late Alhaji Ikare worked passionately for Islam and humanity.
On his part, Alhaji Ibrahim Ambali Apaana reminded the Ummah that no matter how long one lives on earth a day will come when Allah will demand accountability from all. He frowned at the current non-remittance of zakat as stipulated stressing that it is one of the reason why there is poverty in the land.
Earlier on Sunday, Dr. Abdulhamid Olohunoyin described death as a debt every mortal must pay and reminded the gathering to be conscious of this truth always.
Under the auspice of Jamaatul Tariqatul Tijaniyah-Ibrahimmiyyah Olohungbebe, which the late scholar was a member, Asheikh Sharafudeen Saadudeen Ajara on Monday led its member to offer sermon and prayers in honour of the deceased. At the prayer session, Sheikh Ajara stressed the need to always seek for forgiveness of sins and to die in the worship of Allah.
On Tuesday, Alfa Isaiq Akaje came to represent all students of Imam Yakub Aliagan, Akaje stated that death comes suddenly and so it is important to always be prepared.
Prayers were said for the repose of the soul of the deceased, his children and family.
In his closing remarks and vote of thanks, the eldest son of the deceased, Alhaji Muhammad Yaqub who is Lagos State Representative of NUSRET Educational and Cultural Co. Ltd. thanked all people who came from far and near and prayed for the safely return to their various destinations.
Present at the Fidau prayer were the representatives of His Royal Highness, Oba Akadiri Momoh, the Olukare of Ikare, the Grand Mufti of Ondo State, Alhaji Surajudeen Batuta, the Chairman of all Ilorin indigenes in Ikare, Alhaji Saka Adeta, Alhaji Musa Owonikoko, Khalifa Baban-Sabo Ada Rufai, among other dignitaries.
Until his death, Alhaji Ikare who died on Friday February 23rd, 2018 was the Missioner of Ansarul-Islam at Ikare, Tafseer at Ikare Central Mosque and Hausa Community Central Mosque, Ugbe-Akoko as well as the Chief Imam of Ilorin Indigenes in Ikare-Akoko and Ondo State in general. He is survived by children, grandchildren and great-grand children.
